Drew Bledsoe

Drew Bledsoe
File:Drew Bledsoe 2007.jpg Bledsoe in 2007
Born	(1972-02-14) February 14, 1972 Walla Walla, Washington, U.S.
Occupation	Professional football quarterback (retired)
Years active	1993–2006
Known for	NFL quarterback, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys

Drew McQueen Bledsoe (born February 14, 1972) is a retired professional football quarterback who spent 14 seasons in the NFL, predominantly with the New England Patriots. A distinguished player at Washington State, he was honored as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year during his junior season and was selected first overall in the 1993 NFL draft by the Patriots. Serving as the team's cornerstone for nine years, Bledsoe played a central role in reshaping the New England franchise from 1993 through 2001.

During Bledsoe’s tenure, the Patriots broke a seven-year absence from postseason play, qualified for the playoffs four times, secured two division championships, and competed in Super Bowl XXXI. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and became the youngest quarterback to participate in the Pro Bowl in 1995.

Following two seasons marked by declining performance and no playoff appearances, Bledsoe sustained a life-threatening injury early in 2001. This led to backup Tom Brady stepping into the starting role. Brady’s emergence prevented Bledsoe from reclaiming his position; under Brady’s leadership, New England captured its inaugural championship at Super Bowl XXXVI, initiating a period of dominance for the franchise. Subsequently, Bledsoe joined the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, where he achieved his fourth Pro Bowl selection, before concluding his career with two seasons at the Dallas Cowboys.

Although often overshadowed by Brady’s achievements, Bledsoe is recognized for revitalizing the Patriots and playing a key role during their first Super Bowl-winning campaign—coming off the bench to replace an injured Brady and help secure the 2001 AFC Championship. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2011.

Early life

At Walla Walla High School, Bledsoe excelled in football, basketball, and track. In football, he received first-team All-State recognition from the Tacoma News Tribune. As a track athlete, he specialized in throwing disciplines, achieving personal bests of in discus and in javelin.

College career

Bledsoe took the field for the Cougars representing Washington State University. As a true freshman late in the 1990 season, he earned the starting quarterback position—a feat accomplished by only two others previously at WSU. In 1992, he guided Washington State to a 9–3 record with rankings of #17 in the coaches poll and #15 in the AP poll. The season culminated with a 31–28 victory over Utah in the Copper Bowl, where he completed 30 of 46 passes for 476 yards and two touchdowns. That year, he established school records for single-game passing yards (476), single-season completions (241), and total passing yards (3,246), which earned him Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Following his exceptional junior year in 1992, Bledsoe entered the 1993 NFL draft. Across 34 collegiate starts, he amassed totals of 7,373 passing yards, 532 completions, and 46 touchdown passes.

Statistics

colspan="16" style="Template:CollegePrimaryStyle"| Washington State Cougars
Season	Team	Passing								Rushing
		Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
1990	Washington State	92	189	48.7	1,386	7.3	9	4	121.8	49	-67	-1.4	4
1991	Washington State	199	358	55.6	2,741	7.7	17	15	127.2	104	−94	−0.9	2
1992	Washington State	211	386	54.7	2,770	7.2	18	14	123.1	78	−53	−0.7	4

New England Patriots: 1993–2001

Selected first overall in the 1993 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, Bledsoe immediately assumed the starting quarterback position, elevating the team's win total from two to five in his rookie year. In that initial season, he completed 2,494 passing yards, with 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions across 13 games. Remarkably, he became the first rookie quarterback to achieve a perfect passer rating in a game, accomplishing this during a 38-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The 1994 campaign began sluggishly for Bledsoe, but he orchestrated a comeback triumph against the Minnesota Vikings, setting franchise records with 45 completions on 70 attempts in a single contest. This performance ignited a six-game winning streak, culminating in a 10–6 record and a wild card playoff berth. That season, he amassed 4,555 passing yards, threw 25 touchdowns and 27 interceptions, and was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl for the first time. The Patriots' postseason run ended with a wild-card round loss to the Cleveland Browns.

In 1995, Bledsoe's production declined to 3,507 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions as New England finished 6–10. The following year saw a resurgence aided by wide receiver Terry Glenn, guiding the team back to the playoffs and an AFC championship triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl XXXI but fell to the Green Bay Packers. Bledsoe threw for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in that game and earned his second Pro Bowl start.

The 1997 season featured Bledsoe attaining a career-best passer rating of 87.7 while throwing for 3,706 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Patriots once again reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the Divisional Round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bledsoe received his third Pro Bowl selection that year.

During the 1998 season, despite playing with a fractured index finger, Bledsoe became the first NFL quarterback to deliver game-winning touchdown passes within the final 30 seconds of two consecutive games. This clutch performance helped New England secure their third straight postseason appearance.

Bledsoe began strong in 1999 with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions over eight games; however, his performance declined sharply afterward, finishing with only six touchdowns against 17 interceptions as the team ended at .500 (8–8). He endured a career-high of 55 sacks that season. The Patriots regressed further in 2000 to a 5–11 record; Bledsoe threw thirteen interceptions and was sacked 45 times.

In March 2001, Bledsoe inked a then-record contract for ten years worth $103 million. Unfortunately, during the second game of that season, he sustained a serious chest injury caused by a hit from Mo Lewis of the New York Jets, resulting in internal bleeding that necessitated hospitalization. Backup quarterback Tom Brady stepped in and led New England to a playoff berth.

Bledsoe never reclaimed his starting position but played an important role during the 2001 AFC Championship Game when Brady was sidelined due to injury. He directed scoring drives that secured an upset victory over Pittsburgh and propelled New England into Super Bowl XXXVI. Brady resumed starting duties for their eventual Super Bowl win.

With Brady firmly established as the starter, Bledsoe was traded to division rival Buffalo Bills during the offseason. Patriots supporters recognized his lengthy service and impact on multiple occasions when he returned to New England as an opposing player.

Buffalo Bills: 2002–2004

Upon joining the Bills in 2002, Bledsoe experienced a career revival, throwing for 4,359 yards and 24 touchdowns, which earned him his fourth Pro Bowl nod. In the second week of that season, he set a franchise record by passing for 463 yards during an overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his individual success, Buffalo ended the year with an 8–8 record, missing out on playoff contention. The following season began promisingly with a 2–0 start; however, injuries to key offensive players led to a decline, resulting in a disappointing 6–10 finish. In 2004, the Bills improved to a 9–7 record but failed to qualify for the playoffs after a late-season downturn that included a defeat by Pittsburgh’s backup squad.

Following the conclusion of the 2004 campaign, Bledsoe was released to make way for first-round draft pick J. P. Losman as the team's starting quarterback. After signing with the Dallas Cowboys, Bledsoe expressed resentment towards Buffalo, highlighting strained relations stemming from his exit.

Dallas Cowboys: 2005–2006

Bledsoe inked a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with coach Bill Parcells and wide receiver Terry Glenn. Regarded as the franchise’s future at quarterback, he agreed to a three-year contract valued at $23 million. For the ninth time in his career, Bledsoe surpassed 3,000 passing yards, tying Warren Moon for fourth place in NFL history for such achievements. He orchestrated five game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, helping Dallas improve to a 9–7 record from their previous 6–10 finish under Vinny Testaverde.

In 2006, Bledsoe’s performance waned, and after six games he was supplanted by emerging talent and future Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo. The Cowboys released him at season's end. Unwilling to accept a backup role, Bledsoe announced his retirement from professional football on April 11, 2007.

Retirement

When Bledsoe retired in April 2007, he was ranked fifth all-time in NFL history for pass attempts (6,717) and completions (3,839), seventh in total passing yards (44,611), and thirteenth in touchdown passes (251).

Legacy

On May 16, 2011, Patriots supporters voted Bledsoe into the Patriots Hall of Fame, with his formal induction taking place on September 17, 2011, at Patriot Place. He received more fan votes than former head coach Bill Parcells and defensive lineman Houston Antwine.

In July 2012, Football Nation ranked Bledsoe as the 30th-best quarterback of the NFL’s post-merger era.

During the AFC Championship Game in January 2018 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bledsoe served as honorary captain for the New England Patriots. Team owner Robert Kraft emphasized Bledsoe’s pivotal role in revitalizing the franchise through three consecutive playoff appearances and securing an AFC Championship win at home. The Patriots triumphed 24–20, advancing to their tenth Super Bowl, where Bledsoe presented Kraft with the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

Personal life

Bledsoe’s parents were educators based in Washington state; his father also worked as a football coach and operated a camp that connected Drew with professional athletes and coaches. The family settled in Walla Walla, Washington, where Drew thrived under his father’s coaching during high school football and earned accolades such as Washington State Player of the Year. Although recruited by prominent programs including Miami and Washington, he opted to attend Washington State University, located approximately two hours from his hometown.

Drew and his wife Maura live in Bend, Oregon, where Maura has familial roots. They have four children: sons Stuart, John, Henry, and daughter Healy. Drew took on coaching roles at Summit High School in Bend as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Stuart and John. John later joined Washington State’s football roster as a walk-on in 2017.

During his tenure with the Patriots, Bledsoe resided in Massachusetts towns Bridgewater and Medfield; his Medfield residence was subsequently purchased by former MLB player Curt Schilling.

Post-retirement in 2007, Bledsoe co-founded Doubleback Winery alongside Chris Figgins. Figgins eventually transferred his stake to protege Josh McDaniels (distinct from the Patriots coach). The winery primarily cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes sourced from vineyards around Walla Walla, Washington. Doubleback received critical acclaim including ranking 53rd on Wine Spectator’’’s Top 100 wines list of 2010; its first vintage from 2007 sold out rapidly. In 2012, despite publisher Marvin R. Shanken’s known disfavor toward the Patriots, he invited Bledsoe to showcase his wines alongside other celebrities. In 2021, Bledsoe and McDaniels expanded their venture by acquiring an 80-acre Pinot Noir estate within Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills AVA.

Bledsoe remains actively involved with numerous charitable organizations.

NFL career statistics

Key
	Achieved a Super Bowl victory
	Topped the league
Bold	Personal best

Regular season

Season	Franchise	Appearances			Passing Stats									Rushing Stats
		GP	GS	Record	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	Lng	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Y/A	Lng	TD
1993	NE	13	12	5–7	214	429	49.9	2,494	5.8	54	15	15	65.0	32	82	2.6	15	0
1994	NE	16	16	10–6	400	691	57.9	4,555	6.6	62	25	27	73.6	44	40	0.9	7	0
1995	NE	15	15	6–9	323	636	50.8	3,507	5.5	47	13	16	63.7	20	28	1.4	15	0
1996	NE	16	16	11–5	373	623	59.9	4,086	6.6	84	27	15	83.7	24	27	1.1	8	0
1997	NE	16	16	10–6	314	522	60.2	3,706	7.1	76	28	15	87.7	28	55	2.0	8	0
1998	NE	14	14	8–6	263	481	54.7	3,633	7.6	86	20	14	80.9	28	44	1.6	10	0
1999	NE	'16'	'16'	8–8	305	539	56.6	3,985	7.4	68	19	21	75.6	42	101	2.4	25	0
2000	NE	'16'	'16'	5–11	312	531	58.8	3,291	6.2	59	17	13	77.3	47	158	3.4	16	2
2001	NE	'2'	'2'	0–2	40	66	60.6	400	6.1	58	2	2	75.3	5	18	3.4	8	0
2002	BUF	'16'	'16'	'375'|'610'	'4,359'|'7.1'|'73'|'24'|'15'|'86.0'|'27'|'67'|'2.5'|'11'|'2'
2003	BUF	'16'	'16'	'274'|'471'	'2,860'	'54'|'11'|'12'|'73.0'|'24'|'29'|'1.2'|'11'|'2'
2004	BUF	'16'	'16'	'256'|'450'	'2,932'	'69'|'20'|'16'|'76.6'|'22'|'37'|'1.7'|'17'	0
2005	DAL	'16'	'16'	'300'|'499'	'3,639'	'71'|'23'|'17'|'83.7'|'34'|'50'|'1.5'|'9'	2
2006	DAL	'6'	'6'	'90'	170'	53.3'	1,164'	6.9'	51'	7'	8'	69.2'	8'	283.5112
Overall career totals		!194	193	98–95	3,839	6,717	57.2	44,611	6.6	86	251	206	77.2	385	764	2.0	25	10

Postseason

Year	Team	Games			Passing									Rushing
		GP	GS	Record	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	Lng	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Y/A	Lng	TD
1994	NE	1	1	0–1	21	50	42.0	235	4.7	24	1	3	38.3	2	2	1.0	3	0
1996	NE	3	3	2–1	59	105	56.2	595	5.7	53	3	7	54.3	3	4	1.3	4	0
1997	NE	2	2	1–1	39	76	51.3	403	5.3	39	1	2	60.4	4	0	0.0	4	0
2001	NE	1	0	0–0	10	21	47.6	102	4.9	18	1	0	77.9	4	1	0.3	4	0
2006	DAL	0	0	—	DNP
Career		7	6	3–3	129	252	51.2	1,335	5.3	53	6	12	54.9	13	7	0.5	4	0

Accomplishments

• Over an eight-year span, Bledsoe recorded the second-highest number of pass attempts (4,452) in NFL history, trailing only Brett Favre.
• Maintains the current league benchmark for the most pass attempts in a single contest with a total of seventy.
• Registered seven straight seasons surpassing the three-thousand-yard passing mark, with a career-high of 3,291 yards in the year 2000.
• Exhibited remarkable consistency by starting nearly every game from his rookie season in ’93 until his benching in ’06.
• Established numerous Buffalo Bills franchise records during his inaugural season in Buffalo (2002), including categories such as yards, attempts, and completions.
• Guided the New England Patriots to four playoff berths within six seasons and set franchise single-season passing records during the mid-1990s.
• Became the youngest quarterback to exceed ten thousand passing yards and was also the youngest to earn Pro Bowl honors at just twenty-two years old.
• Orchestrated thirty-one game-winning drives in the final quarter or overtime and holds the record for the most overtime touchdown passes with four.

Despite impressive volume statistics, Bledsoe was often scrutinized for efficiency metrics like passer rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio, with critics suggesting his numbers reflected longevity more than elite skill.

He ranks fifth all-time in completions with a total of 3,839, seventh in passing yardage at 44,611 yards, and thirteenth in touchdown passes with a count of 251. He earned four Pro Bowl selections (1994, ’96, ’97, ’02). His career passer rating at retirement in ’06 was recorded at seventy-seven point one but has since dropped within historical rankings. Additionally, he stands ninth for games exceeding three hundred passing yards and sixth for contests with over four hundred yards thrown during the regular season. Eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame since two thousand eleven.

See also

• List of NFL quarterbacks who have achieved a flawless passer rating
• List of celebrities owning wineries and vineyards
• List of longest consecutive starts by an NFL quarterback

External links

• Biography at New England Patriots Hall of Fame
• Profile on Humanitarian Work